Article

U17 Girls, Newport Town AFC 7-5 Ballymackey

Posted on 16 Feb 2019

Saturday, February 16 2019 (Derryleigh Park)

Scorers: Shauna Pearson 4, Rachel Carey 2 & Chelsea King

The U17 girls recorded a great 7-5 win at home to Ballymackey in a 12 goal thriller. A game that was full of goals, excitement, drama and a 4 goal haul for Shauna Pearson. The other Newport goals came from Rachel Carey (2) & Chelsea King. With 2 games remaining, the girls are now level on points with BT Harps, who have a game less played. Newport’s remaining games are away to Killavilla & Ballymackey, so they will be hoping to win both and hope that BT Harps slip up along the way.

Newport played with the strong breeze in the 1st half but Ballymackey had the better start breaking through a number of times in the first quarter only to be stopped by Emma Moloney who was in top form pulling off some great saves.

Newport backs settled into the game Kate, Sarah and Hollie got on top at the back and settle things down for the team. Hardworking wingers Roisin and Amber, Midfield Rachel, Leah and Anzelika all started to take control, resulting in a high % of time in the Ballymackey half and this soon paid off when a determined Chelsea took the ball from the defender against the odds and rounded the keeper to score 1-0. Mid way through the half we started our rotating system which had an immediate impact with Shauna breaking down the left and scoring 2-0. Pressure paid off when we got a free and Rachel stepped up to slot it home 3-0. Forwards were now working well Kaitlyn was making some great passes and keeping two or three defenders busy. Jenny, Mara and Sarah were introduced which ensure the high tempo was maintained some great work by the team made room for Shauna to break and slot another goal. 4-0 at half time.

Given the strength of the breeze we knew this game was far from over and Ballymackey would have the % of the ball in the 2nd half. Ballymackey got going and with the help of an own goal, penalty and lots of pressure the score line 20 minutes into the 2nd half was 4 all. With a few adjustments Newport team stood up Shauna got one back to go 5-4. Ballymackey came back again to make it 5-5. All the momentum was with Ballymackey, but the girls were not going to be beaten on the day, one for all stood up and put in a huge effort especially Leah Moran in midfield and Emma Moloney in goals who was named player of the game. Pressure paid off when Chelsea was taken down outside the box. Rachel stepped up and got the ball around the wall into the top corner to go 6-5. Ballymackey put on the pressure again committing all forward, Newport broke down the left-hand side and Chelsea put a great ball across which came off the crossbar with Shauna on hand to slot it home. So proud of the girls for the way they played with a never give up attitude. We would like to thank Ballymackey for a great sporting game it’s never easy to get a win against this great side.